TY - JOUR
T1 - Changes in employment and household income during the 24 months following a cancer diagnosis
AU - Bennett, Jill A.
AU - Brown, Paul
AU - Cameron, Linda
AU - Whitehead, Lisa C.
AU - Porter, David
AU - McPherson, Katherine M.
N1 - Funding Information:
The data presented in this paper were from cancer survivors who received a cancer diagnosis during the previous 6– 24 months, and who reported that they were employed full-or part-time when diagnosed. The criterion of 24 months was chosen to provide a reasonable time frame in which to expect return to work, based on prior studies [3, 7–9, 12, 17, 18, 22, 24], and to enhance accurate recall of work and income issues the participants had faced quite recently. Participants were part of a national study, Life After Cancer in New Zealand. Briefly, the larger study consisted of a one-time mailed questionnaire about a variety of issues related to cancer treatment and life after treatment. The 836 participants were cancer survivors aged 18 years or older when diagnosed with cancer and more than 6 months beyond primary cancer treatment. Participants were volunteers who heard about the study from newsletters, newspaper stories, television, and radio interviews, and word-of-mouth. Data were collected from May 2007 through January 2008. The study was funded by Genesis Oncology Trust, New Zealand, and approved by the University of Auckland ethics committee.
PY - 2009/8
Y1 - 2009/8
N2 - Goals of work The purpose of the study was to describe the changes in employment and household income following a cancer diagnosis. Materials and Methods Participants were 68 recent cancer survivors (6-24 months since diagnosis) aged 18 years or older who were employed full- or part-time prior to receiving a cancer diagnosis. Data were both quantitative and qualitative. Participants completed a mailed questionnaire about various issues faced by cancer survivors, including 36 questions about work, finances, and income. In addition, space was provided for participants to write optional narrative details about work experiences. Main Results Before cancer, all 68 participants were employed, 45 full-time and 23 part-time. After completion of primary cancer treatment, 49 (72%) were employed (29 full-time and 20 part-time). A decrease in household income after cancer diagnosis was reported by 37% of participants. Of those who were the main income earners in their households prior to cancer, 26% were no longer the main earners after cancer. The qualitative data about work difficulties fell broadly into two areas: physical difficulties and attitudes of employers. Conclusions Though limited by a comparatively small sample size, this study is the first to focus on employment in the very early survivorship period, using both questionnaire and qualitative data. The findings show that many individuals continue to work during and after treatment, though reduction of work hours or quitting work is not uncommon. The complex factors associated with work decisions are not easily assessed with questionnaires, and in-depth qualitative studies of recent cancer survivors are warranted.
AB - Goals of work The purpose of the study was to describe the changes in employment and household income following a cancer diagnosis. Materials and Methods Participants were 68 recent cancer survivors (6-24 months since diagnosis) aged 18 years or older who were employed full- or part-time prior to receiving a cancer diagnosis. Data were both quantitative and qualitative. Participants completed a mailed questionnaire about various issues faced by cancer survivors, including 36 questions about work, finances, and income. In addition, space was provided for participants to write optional narrative details about work experiences. Main Results Before cancer, all 68 participants were employed, 45 full-time and 23 part-time. After completion of primary cancer treatment, 49 (72%) were employed (29 full-time and 20 part-time). A decrease in household income after cancer diagnosis was reported by 37% of participants. Of those who were the main income earners in their households prior to cancer, 26% were no longer the main earners after cancer. The qualitative data about work difficulties fell broadly into two areas: physical difficulties and attitudes of employers. Conclusions Though limited by a comparatively small sample size, this study is the first to focus on employment in the very early survivorship period, using both questionnaire and qualitative data. The findings show that many individuals continue to work during and after treatment, though reduction of work hours or quitting work is not uncommon. The complex factors associated with work decisions are not easily assessed with questionnaires, and in-depth qualitative studies of recent cancer survivors are warranted.
KW - Cancer
KW - Employment
KW - Survivorship
KW - Work
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U2 - 10.1007/s00520-008-0540-z
DO - 10.1007/s00520-008-0540-z
M3 - Article
C2 - 19037665
AN - SCOPUS:77955439304
SN - 0941-4355
VL - 17
SP - 1057
EP - 1064
JO - Supportive Care in Cancer
JF - Supportive Care in Cancer
IS - 8
ER -